Beyonce is admitting she wasn’t sure what to expect after releasing a surprise album to her fans, with no promotion and not even a hint that new material would be popping up on iTunes last Friday.
Nonetheless, Beyonce’s self-titled album broke records, making her the only artist to reach five No. 1 records consecutively on the Billboard 200 chart. Beyonce sold over 1 million copies globally in its first week and 617,000 in the U.S. alone.
While at New York City’s School of Visual Arts, Beyonce admitted she was “terrified” and “so scared” when she released the album, which includes 17 videos and 14 songs.
"I was terrified. I was so scared. I already envisioned like the worst things that could happen," she explained. "I was really nervous because this was a huge risk,” The AP reports.
Beyonce continued "I felt like I wanted follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire. And (to) show other women when you get to this point in your career, you don't have to go sign with someone else and share your money and your success, you can do it yourself."
The notoriously private singer also said of showing her vulnerability on this album that it took her becoming a mother herself to really be able to come out of her shell.
"I'm very private and I'm very respectful, and I think it just took me no longer being someone's child — once I became a mother, I felt like I could tear those fourth walls and I just felt like it was time. I completely feel liberated,” she said.
Beyonce said she wants her “legacy to inspire people” and she wanted to make it clear the “biggest message is owning your imperfections and all the things that make you interesting.”
image: Wikimedia Commons
